By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
A former member of the Gilkey Elementary School Parent Club in Plainwell had her first day in court.
Tara Lynn Drewyor, 44, was arraigned in district court on Monday, Dec. 9. She was charged with embezzlement—$50,000 or more but less than $100,000, according to court records.
Drewyor was arrested on Friday, Nov. 22, and released on $1,000 bond on Monday, Nov. 25, records showed.
The next court date for Drewyor is Thursday, Dec. 19, for a probable cause hearing. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 23.
The exact nature of the misuse of funds has not yet been specified.
After news of the investigation broke last month, Plainwell Community Schools superintendent Matthew Montange released a statement explaining that parent clubs in the district run independent of the district.
“Please note that there is complete separation between district funds and parent club funds; at no time were district funds available to this individual or any other member of a parent or booster club,” he said.
“These are strictly volunteer organizations that maintain their own charters, boards and officers,” he said.
“At no time does the district have access to, nor fiduciary oversight of, funds collected by these organizations. Each club maintains their own bank accounts and records. The district provides volunteer background checks, access to facilities and indirect support through personnel, communications, and events.”
